Psychological key terms

Question 1

Depression

Answer 1

A common and serious mental illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Question 2

Unipolar depression

Answer 2

A type of mood disorder that causes periods of feeling sad and lack of motivation to do anything

Question 3

Twin studies

Answer 3

Studies that are conducted on identical or fraternal twins that aims to reveal the importance of environmental and genetic influences on traits, phenotypes and disorders

Question 4

Genetic predisposition

Answer 4

A genetic characteristic that gives someone an increased chance of developing a certain disease/condition.

Question 5

Diathesis stress model

Answer 5

The explanation that a disorder or behaviour trait is a result of an interaction between genetic predisposition vulnerability and stress, usually caused by life events.

Question 6

Cognitive theory

Answer 6

Attempts to explain human behaviour by studying the mental process involved in trying to learn and understand.

Question 7

Negative triad

Answer 7

Beck claimed that cognitive biases and negative self schemas maintained a negative triad, a negative and irrational view of ourselves, our future, and the world around us

Question 8

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Answer 8

A talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. Its usually used to treat anxiety and depression .

Question 9

Drug therapy

Answer 9

The treatment of a mental disorder with the use of prescription drugs.

Question 10

Detoxification

Answer 10

A procedure where toxins are removed from the body and medication, It may be required to ease the withdrawl of toxins such as alcohol and drugs

Question 11

Neurotransmitters

Answer 11

Often referred to as the body’s chemical messengers, they are molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons or from neuron to muscle

Question 12

Noradrenaline

Answer 12

A neurotransmitter in both the peripheral and central nervous system(PNS & CNS). They are most notable to being associated with the “fight or flight” response to perceived danger.

Question 13

Reuptake

Answer 13

The absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted

Question 14

Relapse

Answer 14

A return to previous use or abuse of alcohol or drugs

Question 15

Addiction

Answer 15

The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity

Question 16

Learning theory

Answer 16

Abstract frameworks that describe how knowledge is received and processed during the learning experience.

Question 17

Classical conditioning

Answer 17

A type of automatic and unconscious learning. This creates behaviour.

Question 18

Operant conditioning

Answer 18

A method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishment for behaviour. This can reinforce (Reward) good behaviour and behaviour which is punished will occur less frequency.

Question 19

Social learning theory

Answer 19

Considers how both environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence learning and behaviour.

Question 20

Reinforcement

Answer 20

Refers to anything that increases the likelihood that a response will occur.

Question 21

Nature

Answer 21

Refers to all the genes and hereditary factors that influence who we are- from our physical appearance to personality characteristics

Question 22

Nurture

Answer 22

The influence of external factors after conception e.g. life experiences and learing certain things.

Question 23

Genes as an explanation

Answer 23

About half the risk for addiction is genetic. Genes affect the degree of reward that individuals experience when initially using a substance (e.g., drugs) or engaging in certain behaviors (e.g., gambling), as well as the way the body processes alcohol or other drugs.

Question 24

Withdrawal

Answer 24

The combination of physical and mental effects that a person experiences after they stop using or reduce the intake of a substance such as alcohol or drugs.

Question 25

Determinism

Answer 25

The view that freewill is an illusion, and that our behaviour is governed by internal and external forces over which we have no control.

Question 26

Freewill

Answer 26

According to this view, individuals have an active role in controlling their behaviour. They are free to choose and are not acting in response to any internal or external pressures.